Author: yourg724

Fashion…..for the Young at Heart

November 19, 2013

By stylist and blogger, Annette K.

Alternative dressing is the new chic. With eclectic patterns and designs layered on top of ink and piercings, this style is brave and courageous and is no longer reserved for just the young, but also for the young at heart.

Meet Nikki January—a brave and courageous “40 some-year-old” single mother, full time college student and cancer survivor. Nikki is a “regular” at Goodwill Keystone Area stores where she shops for pieces that express her unique look and personality. Nikki said, “At Goodwill, you don’t have to take a $50.00 chance on style, just a $3.00 chance.”

Whereas most 40-somethings are wearing slacks and sweaters, Nikki takes fashion chances and mixes textures and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind look.

“You have to own your style, have confidence and just keep your head up,” she said.

Because of the low prices at Goodwill, Nikki stretches her dollars to have many fun looks and she has said, “I have clothes on my back because of Goodwill.”

Check out your new look at Goodwill. Endless possibilities await.

Next week get some tips on how to accentuate your tattoos. Nikki’s daughter, Sarah Evans, who is a tattoo artist, shares her secrets.

Special thanks to Phil Koch, manager at the Goodwill store in Bethlehem, PA, and Nikki and Sarah for sharing their story.

Goodwill Salutes our Vets!

November 11, 2013

By stylist and blogger, Annette K.

While the nation sets aside a holiday to honor our veterans each year, Goodwill is invested in their success year round.

Coming out of the military after years of service presents challenges for most Vets. With new job skills, passions and family structures, transitioning into civilian life is often overwhelming.

Goodwill Keystone Area recognizes these difficult transitions and offers help.

Military and their spouses are given a 10% discount at all of our retail stores—not just on Veteran’s day, but every day!

I met up with Trenesa Perkins at one of the Goodwill Stores in Lancaster PA for a style makeover. We wanted to create an individual style, one that matched her sophisticated and spirited personality yet still offered her versatility of wear. After searching the racks at Goodwill, Trenesa’s new style quickly came to life. And along the way, a go-to piece was discovered!

Trenesa Perkins served in the US Navy for nearly a decade. Perkins, an E-5 Petty Officer, was stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln – the air craft carrier that began the Iraqi War- as Air Intercept Controller/Operations Specialist. After her almost decade- long tour of active duty on the ship, she found it hard to make the transition into civilian life.

“When I left the Navy it was very hard to re-adjust. I didn’t feel as though I was prepared to become a civilian,” said Trenesa.

Goodwill offers a program for vets called Vet Success, which provides counseling, training and education to vets with service-oriented disabilities. Trenesa came to Goodwill through the Vet Success Program and received assessments to help her find new direction.

Today, Trenesa is set to graduate from Harrisburg Area Community College as a radiographer.

“One day, I hope to work in a VA hospital and serve those who served us,” said Trenesa.

Everyday is Veteran’s Day at Goodwill.

Special Thanks to Lucas Gonzalez, manager of Goodwill East in Lancaster PA.

Special Thanks to Jeff Yanovitch from Yano Creative @yanocreative.com for pictures.

Special Thanks to Trenesa Perkins for sharing her story.

Movember: Styling on a Budget After Weight Loss

November 1, 2013

By stylist and blogger, Annette K.

It’s Movember! So of course, I can’t pass up writing about health and fashion for men. Movember is an annual, month-long, November awareness campaign, usually involving the growing of mustaches by men, to raise awareness of male cancers and other health issues.

Last February, Ryan Huth, manager for the Goodwill Store and Donation Center in Allentown, PA, tipped the scale at 275 pounds. Shopping only in “big” sections, he recalls feeling “fed up and disgusted” with how he looked. He decided he “couldn’t continue like this anymore” and made a change.

Today, eight months later, Ryan is 60 pounds lighter and committed to living a healthy lifestyle. He attributes his weight loss to portion control, reducing his carbohydrate intake, and eating salads for dinner.

“I feel great,” he says. “It’s pretty easy once you put your mind to it.”

Ryan has donated his “old” clothes to Goodwill, which is where I met him to shop for clothes and styles that show off his new, healthy physique. Check out his new looks.

Ryan has become healthier in just a few months. He wants to lose another 40 pounds to to meet his goal, but he’s become a walking billboard for men’s health.

And one more thing, Ryan was the Goodwill Keystone Area’s Movember winner of the 2012 Best Overall Mustache. He’s clean shaven today and preparing to do battle growing a prize-winning mustache for this Movember.

Thanks to Ryan Huth, store manager of Goodwill Keystone Area’s Tilghman Square Store for sharing your story. Keep up the great work, Ryan!

For comments and blog suggestions, please contact Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org

Maternity Fashion….Gleaning Elegance from Princess Kate

October 22, 2013

By stylist and blog writer, Annette K.

Kate Middleton’s classic style and beauty made her pregnancy seem effortless and natural. And now, her elegance and grace are synonymous with maternal fashion.

Gone are the baggy shirts, cover-all pants and over-sized sweatshirts. Today’s mom-to-be is polished, fit and confident. She wears streamlined cuts of traditional fabrics, like plaids and herringbone and completes the sleek look with leggings, camis and scarves.

Are you expecting? Don’t settle for drab colors and tired looks. Let your local Goodwill store deliver all the layers and accessories for your classic style. Endless possibilities await at Goodwill ….and you won’t need a royal budget.

Special thanks to model Jessica Klein-Goodwill Keystone Area employee, Fogelsville, PA. On October 15th Jessica gave birth to son Jase Steven. Both mother and baby are healthy and well. Congratulations!

For comments and blog suggestions, please contact Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org

Accessories and clothing are from the racks of Goodwill Keystone Area’s Fogelsville,PA store.

Photos taken from People Magazine: Link to People Magazine article.

Wear Pink – A Sign of Solidarity

October 16, 2013

By stylist and blog writer, Annette K.

This October, Goodwill Keystone Area employee Tonya Hollinger rocks her pink hair, pink glittery nails, pink jewelry and clothes to celebrate three years of recovering from breast cancer.

“Pink is the quintessential female color,” says Margaret Welch, director of the Color Association of the United States. And for breast cancer patients and survivors, pink is a happy place – a place of hope, healing, femininity and pride.

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink becomes a sign of solidarity for women and families fighting this terrible disease. Pink has become a sort of non-verbal signal sent out to breast cancer patients saying, “I support you, and I’ve got your back.”

Men wear pink ties, shirts or lapel pins. NFL players wear pink socks, wristbands, and shoes. Women dye their hair, paint their nails, and wear pink clothing and accessories.

It’s wearing pink with a purpose…it’s here, it’s now and it’s Goodwill!

This month, join Tonya and others in wearing pink to show your support and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer. Visit your local Goodwill store and find your pop of pink. Wear it with purpose and wear it with pride.

And one more thing, last year Tonya added a permanent accessory…a pink “Hope” tattoo.

Accessories and clothing were taken from the racks of the Goodwill stores in Bensalem, PA and Lancaster PA-Lincoln Hwy E. Thank you, managers and staff!

Special thanks to Tonya Hollinger for sharing her story with us.

For comments and blog suggestions, please contact Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org.

Link to the History of the Pink Ribbon.

Homecoming and Goodwill—Fit for a Queen!

October 8, 2013

By stylist and blog writer Annette K.

It’s homecoming season, a time when adults reconnect with old friends and share collective memories and when kids connect and begin creating their own.
Whether you’re a woman going to a high school or college reunion or a girl primping for the homecoming dance, Goodwill Keystone Area stores have everything you need to look and feel like a Queen.

Ladies – When deciding what to wear for your outdoor reunion, leave the lined windbreaker and mittens behind. Instead, create an image of sophistication by layering with blazers, scarves and sweater dresses. Paired with leather riding boots or booties your classic style will leave a lasting impression.

Girls – When choosing your dress for the homecoming dance, remember to consider fit first, then accessorize. Your dress should be a reflection of who you are and should move with you instead of vice versa. Accessorize with statement pieces like chunky bracelets, silver shoes, or a brilliant signature necklace to add that exclamation point to your look.

Whether dressing for a dance or a reunion, visit your Goodwill store where racks of endless possibilities await. Homecoming offers the girl a chance to look older, and the woman a chance to look younger. What Queen could pass that up?

For comments or fashion blog suggestions, please email Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org.
Thanks to the staff at the Bethlehem Goodwill Store and to models Jodi and Jillian McSwegan.

Red Carpet—Color Trends for Everyone

October 1, 2013

And the big winner from this year’s Emmy Award Red Carpet Showcase is… You!

While you may not have gone to the Emmy’s in your limousine, you can immediately add elegance and style to your wardrobe from this year’s red carpet color palette.

The Pantone Color Institute – known as the international authority on color – identifies 4 colors that are universally flattering to everyone despite hair, skin or eye color or tone. These four colors–Mellow Rose, True Red, Indian Teal and Eggplant–appeared over and over again on Sunday’s 65th annual Emmy awards.

Whether looking for formal, business or casual wear, these colors will flatter everyone. No more second guessing.
Universal colors-they are in, they’re hot and at Goodwill Keystone Area stores.

Emmy photos, www.hollywoodlife.com.
Thanks to models Ashley and Sarah- Parkland High School.
For comments or fashion blog suggestions, please email Annette Kaiser at akaiser@yourgoodwill.org.

Fall Fashion – Long Skirts Are Back

September 23, 2013

Among the psychedelic patterns and exotic looks unveiled at Fashion Week in New
York City, was an old comfortable standby. The long skirt. It made a comeback last
week on runways, but it never left the Goodwill Keystone Area stores.

“We usually have a large stock of all kinds of skirts”, said Phil Koch, manager of
Goodwill Keystone Area’s Bethlehem, PA store.

The long skirt never really goes out of fashion because it adds a hint of femininity to any woman’s look. Worn at any length from knee-cap to maxi, longer skirts can be accented with any variety of belts or scarves, or dressed up or dressed down with blouses or tee shirts, blazers or sweaters.

The three skirts shown below were all taken off the racks at a Goodwill store just last
weekend.

Worn with a long tunic shirt, chunky belt and ankle boots, this long skirt is the hot look for a night on the town.

With a knotted tee and high strappy sandals, this corduroy skirt is perfect for those warmer days and chilly fall nights.

This long rayon skirt is appropriate business attire when worn with a cropped jacket, turtleneck and ankle boots.

Hippie Skirts and Sleeveless Bargains

August 23, 2013

A New Generation of Thrift Store Shoppers

My daughter has become a thrift store shopper like me. On two recent trips to Goodwill, she went back-to-school shopping and she was excited to find a number of outfits – black camis and ‘hippie’ skirts. She has her own sense of style and found exactly what she was looking for. Of course she did, she was shopping at Goodwill.

Hippie Skirts at Goodwill — (Photo credit: Emily Bateman) Making a donated item your own hip, current style is what thrift shopping is all about.

She’s a college student looking to differentiate her style from the crowd. When I saw her trying on outfits, I knew she’d struck Goodwill gold. When you are shopping for your style, you often find exactly what you are looking for at Goodwill. Better yet are the bargain prices. The skirts and shirts were both just $3.50 a piece.

Save More with Goodwill Rewards Card

Sleeveless Tee and Hippie Skirt — A young thrifter finds a great skirt and cami at Goodwill for $7.

With a Goodwill Rewards Card, shoppers can save an additional 25% on daily specials, which in this case was $6. Total bill – just over $25 with tax. The money saved helped pay for lunch.

Goodwill Sales Funds Job Programs

It’s also good to know that her purchases and support of Goodwill fund job training programs. Sales of gently used donated items benefit people with disabilities. Bargains fund opportunities. It’s a win win.

Goodwill Vintage Clothing Inspires Canine Couture

August 8, 2013

Guest Blog by Annette Kaiser, Goodwill Keystone Area

You never know what you’ll find at Goodwill Keystone Area’s Tilghman Square store in Allentown, PA. Two regular customers at the gently used clothing racks are fashion designers Maribel and Jana Nieves, a mother-daughter team who own a studio called Bel Bijoux Couture in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Bel Bijoux Couture — Maribel and Jana Nieves, a mother-daughter team, in their studio.

While their shop looks like any other design studio — with spools of brightly colored thread and coat trees draped with rich textures and fabrics — the design pages and patterns folded neatly in rows of hangers are in miniature. That’s because this couture isn’t designed for humans, it’s designed for their pets.

The Nieves specialize in one-of-a-kind pet coats and were recently featured on NAT GEO WILD’s “Spoiled Rotten Pets.” Their favorite place to shop for material is the Goodwill store in Allentown, because the selections of vintage clothes and modern fashions spurs their imagination and gives them endless choices for fabrics, buttons and other accessories that go into their line.

“When we work with a customer, they tell us what colors and type of fabric they would like,” said Jana Nieves. “We go to Goodwill, browse all sorts of pieces from skirts to jackets, from coats and pants. Once we find something that meets the description, we’ll take a picture and send it to them. You never know what you will find at Goodwill.”

Dogs Modeling Custom Coats — These fashionable dogs had their custom outfits created from Goodwill finds.

Jana Nieves says she can design and create up to three pieces from one Goodwill garment. Unlike the “sleepy” bolted fabrics found on the shelves of retail textile stores, “the pieces we find at Goodwill have a certain life to them that transform into beautiful pieces.”

For more information on Bel Bijoux Couture, visit t www.belbijouxcouture.com. Custom coats start at $55 and are guaranteed to fit your life, your style and your pet.